The Differences of the Churches of the Separation, Part 2
The ſecond part of the Miniſtery of the Church.
The firſt ſection of the Eldership or Presbytery.
Chap. 1. Of the names or titles of the Elders.
Thus much concerning the Leitourgie of the Church, now follow the offices of the Church, viz: the Presbytery & Deaconry, Phil. 1.1, Eſay. 66.21. Nomb. 3.5.-10, & 16: 5 …8. & 17. Chap.
The Presbytery of the church is the company of the Elders which are for the church … the publique actions of the Church, eyther of the Kingdom or preiſthood, Heb. 13.17 … Theſ. 5.12. 1. Timoth. 4.14. & 5.17.
The presbytery is vniforme conſiſting of Officers of one ſort, Eſay. 66.21. compared …ith Exod. 28.1. & with Nomb. 11.24.25. 1. Timoth. 3.1-8. Act. 14.23. philip. 1.1. Ie…em. ….1-4. Ezech. 34.1-16.
Theſe Officers are called Elders, Overſeers, or Bishops, paſtors, Teachers, Governors, …aders, prepoſ…ti, which are ſeveral names of one & the ſame office conſiſting of ſeveral …orks or qualifications
For every one of theſe officers muſt be.
1. An Elder or Auncient in yeeres, 1. Timoth. 3.6. & 5.1.
2. Overſee the flock, 1. pet. 5.2. Act, 20.28.
3. Feed the …ock, 1. pet. 5.2. Act. 20.28.
4. Able to teach, & exhort with wholſome doctryne & convince the gainſayers, 1. …oth. 3.2, Tit. 1.9. Eph. 4, 11.
5. Governe the Church. 1. Tim. 3.4.5. 1. Cor. 12.28.
6. Lead the Church in al the publique allaires thereof Heb. 13.17.
7. Are preferred to place of honor. 1. Theſ. 5.12. 1. Tim. 5.17. & ſpeciall labour. 1. Timoth. 3.1.
Seing all the Elders muſt teach, exhort, convince, feed, overſee, rule & lead the church therfor they may all adminiſter the ſeales of the covenant: for that is a cheef work of feeding & applying the covenant & that particularly.
Chap. 2. Of reaſons proving the Elders to be of one ſort, viz: all Paſtors.
Firſt in the Old Teſtament ther was but one kind of Preiſts, who had al equal authority to adminiſter al the holy things: excepting the high P…eiſt, who typed forth Chriſt Ieſus the high Pre…ſt of our confeſſion: ſo p…op…tionably in the New Teſtament, ther …s but one …ort of Elders who ſuccede the Preiſts in the diſpenſation o… holy things. Eſay. 66.21.
As in the Old Teſtament ther was the ſanhedrim which conſiſted of 70. auncients for the adminiſtration of the Kingdom, which was a type of the vi…ible church, al which E…ders in their fi…ſt inſtitution Nomb. 11.25. did prophecy & were of one kind vnderunder Moſes: ſo in the new Teſtament vnderunder Chriſt Ieſus, which is the King of the church, ther is a ſ…n…d…i…n or Elder… …p conſ…ing of Auneie…s of one kind who adminiſ…er … t…e good of the Church, Reve…. 4.4. & 5.6.
Againe, If Paſtor, Teacher, Elder had been 3. Offices formally differing the Apoſtle intending to teach the ſeveral offices of the Church, would have mentioned them. 1. Timoth. 3. But ther he only mentioneth Biſhops & Deacons according as Phil. 1.1. … Biſhops are only of one ſort or kind.
Moreover, if the Apſtles had ordeyned 3. Kinds of Elders, Act. 14.23. they would h…ve mentioned them with the …ſe…eral kinds of ordination: but that i… not d…e: for in o…e phraſe their election and ordinacion is mentioned: go their ordination being one, their office is one & not three.
Further, if their had been 3. Kinds of Elders at Epheſus then the Apoſtle at Mil…um would have given them ſeveral cha…dges as having ſeveral dutyes lying vppon them: but the Apoſt…e Act. 20.28. giveth them one general chardg common to them all, namely the duty of ſeeding the work of the Paſtor… go▪ they are all Paſtors.
Beſides. Eph. 4.11. Paſtors & teachers are all one office: for where as the Apoſtle had ſpoken diſ…ibutively before of Apoſt…es, Prophets, Evangeliſts as intending them …ever…l offices, he ſpeaketh copulatively of paſtors & teachers, exege…ically teaching … they are both one off…ce.
…ſtly, if all the Elders have the paſtors gifts, & the works of the paſtor, & the paſto… ordination, then they have all the paſtors office: But all the Elders have the p…ſtors gi… v…z: the word of wiſdome or the gift of exhortation. Tit. 1.9. & therfor the paſto… worke as Act. 20.28: 1. Pet. 5.2. which is feeding or exhorting, & ſo the ſame ordination Act. 14.23. Therfor all the Elders have the ſame office of the paſtor: & ſo a… all of one ſort.
Hence this conſectary ariſeth that the Elderſhip conſiſting of three ſorts of El…ers is the invention of man, having both an Antich…iſtian Miniſtery and Government in it.
And therfor when the Popiſh prelacy was ſuppreſt, & the triformed preſbytery ſubſtituted, one Antichriſt was put down & another ſet vp in his place: or the beaſt was ſuppreſt & his image advanced.
And therfor as they that ſubmit to the prelacy are ſubject to that woe of worshipping the beaſt, ſo they that ſubmit to the triformed Presbytery are in like manner lyable to the woe denounced againſt then that worship the image of the beaſt.
Chap. 3. Objections for three ſorts of Elders anſwered,
The firſt Objection.
1, Tim. 5.17. In this place the Apoſtle maketh two ſortes of Elders viz. 1. Thoſe that Rule only: 2. Thoſe that Teach & Rule. & Eph. 4.11. the Apoſtle maketh two kindes of thoſe that Teach, Paſtors, & Doctors. Therefore ther are three kindes of Elders formally differing each from other.
Anſwer to the firſt Objection.
The Apoſtle to Timothie teache…h that Elders are to be honoured for two workes wel rul…ng, & laborious or p…ni…ul-teaching: & the place doth not import a diſtribution of …fficers, but a commendacion of ſeveral workes of one office: & the Specialty conſiſteth not in the works of ruling & teaching which are common to all Elders: but in the quality of the works viz: wel-ruling … pain…ul-teaching as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay: Elders are …o be had in double honour for wiſe Government: but much more are they to be honoured for their laborious & painful teaching: that this is ſo: ſee Tit. 1.9. & 1. Theſ. 5.12.13. compared with 1. Tim. 3.1.4.
In Timo…hie the Apoſtle ſaith every Bishop muſt be Didacticos: & P…oiſtamenos: & therfor that ſome El…ers are only Di…f…cticoi, & not Proiſtamenoi. i… contrary to the Apoſties intent: Further in Titus the Apoſt…e expoundeth Didactico… to be able to exho…t with wholſom doctryne & to convince the gainſay…es: how then ſhal ſome of the Elders be Rulers only?
Againe the Apoſtle in that place of the Epheſi…ns ſpeaketh copulatively of one office, & exegetically of the principal work of the paſtor which is teaching: he doth not ſay: ſome paſtors, ſome teachers, but he ſaith paſtors & teachers expounding the former by the latter viz: feeding by teaching which is the principal part of feeding, & for which paſtors are cheefly commended, 1. Tim. 5.17. if they labour therein painfully.
The ſecond Objection,
1. Cor. 12.5.8.28. The Apoſtle ſayth. ther are diverſ…tyes of Miniſteries: namely one that hath the word of wiſdom: another the word of knowledg: another that hath Government vſus, 28. Therfor the Eldership conſiſteth of 3. forts of Elders viz: of the paſtor that …ath the word of wiſdome of the teacher that hath the word of knowledg: of the Ruler that hath the quality of government.
Anſwer to the ſecond Objection.
Firſt it is graunted that ther are diverſities of Miniſteries as Eph, 4.11, 1. Tim, 3.1.8. philip, 1.1, Namely. Apoſtles, prophets, Evangeliſts, paſtors, Deacons: yet is followeth not herevppon that Elders are of divers ſorts as is pleaded, ſee vſus. 28.
Againe the word Diaconia, ſignifieth ſomtyme any Spiritual work, proceeding from any member or officer of the Church, as 2, Cor 8 4, almes is called Diaconia: 1, Pet. 4.10 Deaconein ſignifieth any work that proceedeth from any gift: So it may ſignifie heer: & al the workes that folow almoſt may be referred thether: only ther are certay he Energemata, mentioned vers 10.
The third Objection.
The Apoſtle Rom 12.6-8, maketh an oppoſition between prophecy & an office: & maketh five kinds of officers Paſtors, Teachers, Rulers, Deacons, Widowes.
Anſwer to the third Objection.
That is denyed to be the true reſolution of the place of the Romanes: for although ther be five ſeveral actions repeated, yet it doth not follow that ther are five ſeveral officers to perform thoſe actions: For one perſon may performe then all & yet be no officer, viz. teach, exhort, rule, diſtribute, shew mercy, 1 Cor 14.3.26.31, Roman 12.13 1 Cor, 5.5.
Againe the diſtributive particle Eite fowre tymes repeated, in propheſy, Diaconia, exhorting, & teaching, importeth thus much: That the Apoſtles intention is not to ſubordinate teaching & exhorting to Diaconia, but to oppoſe each of theſe 4. particulars to other as thus, Propheſy is the manifeſtation of a gift, 1 Cor. 14.3.
Diaconia is the office, & ther are divers kinds thereof, 1 Cor. 12.5.
Teaching is one action or work of the prophets or officers, 1 Cor, 14.26
Exhorting is an other action or work of them, 1 Cor. 14 3
Hence it followeth that teaching & exhorting are aſwel ſubordinate to propheſy as to Diaconia.
But ther, if Diaconia be the genus to thoſe five ſpecies following, then I ſay that Diaconia ſign fieth not an Office, but a work: And of works there are thoſe five kinds. That Diaconia doth ſomtyme ſignifie a work is playne: 1 Cor. 8.4. 1. Pet. 4.10.
Laſtly: the Apoſtle that knew how to ſpeake would never have made teaching & exhortation members diſt…outive with propheſy & Diaconia, If he had intended to have made them ſpecies ſubordinate to Diaconia; therefor queſtionles that is not his intention.
The Apoſtle by the commaundement of Chriſt writeth to the Angels of the ſeaven Churches of Aſia: Revel. Chap. 1, & 2. & 3. That is to the Paſtors which are but one in every particular Church for ſo the words are to the Aungel of the Church of Epheſus, &c.
Anſwer to the fourth Objection.
Firſt, it can never be proved by the Scriptures that there was, but one paſtor in a Church: It is plaine, Act. 20.28. That there were many in the Church of Epheſus (that was one of thoſe ſeaven Churches) that did performe the work of the paſtor which is p…mainein, to …eed, even all the Elders of Epheſus: Act. 20. vers 17, compared with vers 28. And therfor ther were many Paſtors in the Church of Epheſus in Paulls tyme.
Againe, all Churches had Officers of one ſort, & one kind of Presbytery, & therefor as all the Elders of Epheſus were Paſtors, ſo were all the Elders of the ſix Churches of Aſia & of all other Churches whereſoever in the world, if they had many Eld…s.
Further, the Angel of every one of thoſe Churches doth not ſignify one paſtor only in every, Church, but eyther the College of poſtors if they were many, or the company of the moſt ſincere & holy men that moſt oppoſed the corruptions of the Church, or were moſt holy & zealous in life & doctryne: that an angel ſignifieth a cōpany of men is playne Revel. 14.6.8.9. & 18.4.
Laſtly, in all likely hood ther were ſome extraordinary men yet living in the churches eyther Prophets o… Evangeliſts that had extraordinary gifts, whoſe Zeale & holynes might w…nne vntounto then ſpecial eſtimation in the Churches: in regard whereof it might be that the Holy Ghoſt intending his Epiſtles to the whole Church, cheefly directeth them to theſe perſons ſo qua…fied as men beſt able to prevayle with the Church & calleth them Aungels, whither one or more: As Iohn the Baptiſt is called an Aungell. Marc. 1.2,
Chap. 4. Of the divers gifts of Elders.
Seing al the Prophets of the Church muſt have gifts fit for edification, exhortation … conſolation: the Paſtors of the Church muſt have gifts for the performance of the ſam workes kat, exochen, after an excellent manner & in a greater meaſure.
The Paſtors excelling the prophets of the Churche in the gifts of doctryne exhortation, conſolation, may alſo excel one another in gifts: for al the Elders have not the ſam meaſure or degree of gifts.
In reſpect of the meaſure of gifts in the Elders, ſome excelling in one gift ſome in an… ther, the Holy Ghoſt may give ſeveral titles to the Elders or paſtors.
Every Elder according as the excellency of his gift is, ſo muſt he endevour himſelf … edifying of the Church & in the ſtirring vp the gift God hath given vntounto him: 1. pet. 4. 10.11. Mat. 25.29. 2. Tim. 1.6. 1. Cor. 14.12.
Although ſome Elder excel in one gift ſome in another, yet it followeth not that therfor they are ſeveral officers formally di…ering one from another: for not the degree meaſure or excellency of a gift or gifts, but the ſeveral kind & nature of gifts & works make ſeveral kinds of offices: 1. Cor. 12.4.5.6.
The Elder that excelleth in government moſt properly may be called a ruler or Governour, although he have the gifts & powre to teach, exhort, confort, apply, & that by vertue of his office. Tit. 1.9. Heb. 13.17.
That Elder that excelleth in doctryne & convincing the gainſayers may moſt properly be called a Teacher or Doctor, though by vertue of his office he may adminiſter of other paſtoral dutyes: Act. 18.28. & 19.1. 1. Cor. 3.4-6. compared with Tit. 1.9. Eph. 4.11. 1. Pet. 5.2.
The Elder that exceleth in exhortation, conſolatiō & application, may moſt properly be called a paſtor or ſhepheard, though by vertue of his office he is to teach convince & governe. Act. 20.28. Tit. 1.9. Eph. 4.11. 1. Pet. 5:2.
As the Apoſtle doth, 2. Tim. 1.6. 1. Pet. 4.10. So may the Church give a charg to the Elder in ordination to ſtir vp, attend to, & vſe his proper & moſt pregnant & familiar gift: which he is to mynd: & accordingly to endevour himſelf in his adminiſtration & thus ſhal every one as his gift is excel therein to the edification of the Church. 1. Corinth. 14.12.
Thus ſhal al men that have excellēcy of gifts when they ſhalbe added to the church be imployed in the honourable ſervice of the Church: wheras if ther be but one paſtor in a Church, men of more excellent gifts being added to the Church ſhall ſitt ſtill, leeſe ther gifts & look on: which alone is an argument ſufficient to overthrow the fancy of one paſtor only in one Church.
Chap. 5. Of the works of the Presbytery or Elders in the preiſthood of the Church.
Thus much concerning the presbytery: Now follow the works of the Elders, or the presbytery. Which are of two ſorts.
1. Workes of the preiſthood of the Church:
2. Workes of the Kingdom of the Church.
For the prophecy of the Church is comprehended vnderunder the preiſthood as a branch of it. Deut. 33.10. Revel. 1.6. with 1. Cor. 14.31. Act. 2.17.18.
The workes of the preiſthood are: propheſying, that is publishing the covenant of grace or the new Teſtament, wherto aperteyneth putting to the ſeaſes: praying ſinging pſalmes of praiſe & thankſgiving vntounto the Lord,
The office of the Eldership or the work of the presbytery is to lead & moderate the Church in theſe Spiritual Sacrifices, in regard whereof they have their names: as Leaders, prepoſiti: &c.
Although the presbytery lead & moderate theſe Spiritual Sacrifices, yet the brethren are intereſſed in vſing their gifts for the performance of al theſe parts of Spiritual worship, 1. Cor. 14.31.26. Revel. 2.6. 1. pet. 2.5. & that when the whole Church is come together in one 1. Cor. 14.23. yet things muſt be done in order, 1. Cor. 14.33.40.
Exception. The adminiſtration of the ſcales of the Covenant ſometh to apertayne only … Elders or preſbytery, as ſa…ing did only to the preiſts: Mat. 2.6. & 26.…6-…0 … 14.12.
Chap. 6. Of the preſbytery or Elders in the Kingdom of the Church.
The workes of the Kingdom are Admonition, Conviction, Examination, Diſputation, … communication, Abſolution, & handling all matters of difference betwixt brother & …other: & if ther be any of like nature.
The Eldership is to lead & moderate the Church actions & ſpeaches in theſe matters & cauſſes of the Kingdom & government. Deut. 16.18.-20. & 1.14-18. 2. Chron. 19.5. …1. 1. Cor. 6.1-8. 1. Theſ. 5.12.13. 1. Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13.17.
The brethren are all intereſſed in all the parts of adminiſtration though the Elders …d & moderate them. 1. Cor. 5.4.5. 1. Th…. 1… & 2. Ep. 3.6. Revel. 2.2. & 1.4. & 1.11. & 1.6.
The brethren joyntly have all powre both of the Kingdom & preiſthood immediately from Chriſt: Revel. 1.6. 1. Pet. 2.5. 2. Cor. 6.16-18. Mat. 18.20. & that by vertue of the covenant God maketh with them, Gen 17.7. with Act 2.39. Rom. 4.11. Gal. 3.14.16
Therfor when the Church wanteth an Eldership, it hath never the leſſe powre to Preach, Pray, Sing Pſalmes, & ſo by conſequent to adminiſter the ſeales of the covanant: alſo to admoniſh, convince, excommunicate, abſolve, & al other actions eyther of the Kingdom or preiſthood: by neceſſary conſequent.
When the Church hath choſen & ordeyned her ſelf Elders, then the Church leeſeth none of her former powre, but ſtill retayneth it entyre to herſelf to vſe when occaſion ſeweth: by neceſſary conſequent.
The presbytery hath no powre, but what the Church hath & giveth vntounto it: which the Church vppon juſt cauſe can take away: Coloſ 4.17. Gal. 1.9. Revel 2.2. 1. cor. 16.22
The Church hath ſome powre which the presbytery alone hath not, viz, powre of Elections & communication: 1. Cor. 5.4.5. Act. 6.5. & 14.23. & ſo by conſequent of all other Sentences.
The ſecond Section.
Chap. 1. Of the Treaſury of the Church, & the Deacons office.
Thus much of the office & workes of the preebytery:
Now follow the office & workes of the Deacons.
The Deacons office reſpecteth the body & bodily neceſſityes of the Saints: Act. 6.2. which is called ſerving tables in that place: as alſo bodely ſervice of the Eldership & Church, Eſay 66 21 compared with Ezech 44.10-14 Nomb 3.5-10
In reſpect whereof the deacōs may be termed the ſervants of the Eldership & church …s the Levites were given to ſerve the preiſts & the people in the tabernacle, nōb. 3.5-10
The Deacons in the new teſtament are anſwerable to the Levites in the old teſtamet: …s the Elders are anſwerable to ther preiſts: Eſay 66, 21. compared with 1. Chron 26.20
The Deacons office eſpecially is occupyed about the treaſury of the Church. 1. chron. 16.20. compared with Act. 6.2. Ioh. 13.29.
Concerning the treaſury conſider theſe things.
1. Who are to contribute & what is to be given to the treaſury.
2. Of what nature the treaſury is, & when it is to be collected.
3. How the treaſury is to be imployed & at whoſe appointment.
Chap. 2. VVho are to contribute.
They that have but two mites (as the poore widow in the goſpell) are to contribute to the treaſury, Luk 21.2. aſwel as they that are wealthy, vſus. 4. Exod. 35.20-29.
They that have much are to give much, Luk. 21.4. Act. 4.34.
They that have but litle are to contribute a litle, by proportion.
All the members of the Church are to contribute ſomthing, bicauſe the almes or contribution is the manifeſtation of grace, even of our bowels of mercy & compaſſion, & a part of our holy communion, 1. Cor. 16.2. 2. Cor. 8.2-3 7. Act. 2.42. Luk. 21.4.
As al Rivers goe into the ſea & flow out of the ſea: ſo wee muſt all caſt into the treaſury, & all receave from the treaſury againe as our neceſſityes are.
Quere: whither they that are mayntayned by the treaſury are to contribute into the treaſury: as the officers & poore brethren.
Chap. 3. VVhat or how much is to be given to the treaſury.
So much is to be given to the treaſury as may ſerve for ſupplying the preſent neceſſityes of the Church, Act. 2.45. & 4.34.35.
In the neceſſityes of the Church the rick muſt ſel their goods & poſſeſſions for the help of the Church, Act. 2.45. & 4.34.35.
In the neceſſityes of the Church the brethren muſt contribute not only according to their ability, but even beyond their ability: & their extreme poverty muſt abound to their rich liberality, 2. Cor. 8.2.3. 1. Pet. 4.11.
A man is accepted of the Lord according to that which he hath, & not according to that he hath not, in contributing if their be a willing mynd though only two mites be given, 2. Cor. 8.12. Luk. 21.3.
If in the neceſſityes of the Church the rich brethren do not releeve the poore by contributing to the treaſury & otherwiſe, they are vnworthy members of the Church: & vn natural parts of the body: & are to be cenſured according to the rule: Mat. 18.15-18.1 Timoth. 5.20. Deut. 15.7-11.1. Cor. 12.22.25.26.
The rich that have frends that are needy of the Church, muſt releeve thē themſelves, & muſt not chardg the Church with them, 1. Tim. 5.4.16. vnderunder nephewes & widowes all poore frends are to be vnderſtood by proportion.
Quere: whither: if a brother have wife & children & frends to releeve that are without: The Church is bound to releeve him ſo far forth as he may alſo releeve them.
Chap. 4. Of what nature the treaſury is.
The treaſury is holy. Act. 2.42. 1. Chron. 26.20, compared with Mat. 27.6. & 2. Cor. 8.4 …. Hence therfor follow theſe two conſectaryes.
1. Every holy ordinance of God muſt be ſanctified by prayer & thankſgiving, 1. Tim. 4.3 …. & therfor Almes or contribution to the treaſury muſt be ſanctified by prayer & thankſgiving: ſee for this point, 2. Cor. 9.12-15. & vſus. 8-11.1. Chron. 29.10-20.
2. Ther ought to be a ſeperation in almes & contributiō to the treaſury aſwel as in other parts of our Spiritual communion, Act. 4.32. & 5.13. 2. Cor. 6.17. Act. 2.42. Heb. 13.…6. 2. Cor. 8.7. therfor they that are without if they give any thing muſt lay it a part ſeve…al from the treaſury & it muſt be imployed to common vſe, Mat. 27.6.7.
The treaſury is Holy in theſe reſpects.
1. In regard of the perſons that contribute who are Holy.
2. In reſpect of the grace manifeſted in contribution which muſt be: 1. Sympathy or …ompaſſion, 2. freenes or voluntary offering, 3 liberality or bountifullnes: Rom. 12.13. …5.16. 2. Cor. 9.5-7.
3. In regard of the perſons & vſes wherto it is imployed which are the Saynts & their …eceſſityes 2. Cor. 8.4. & 9.12.1.
4. In regard of the Lord himſelf: it being a Sacrifice wherewith God is well pleaſed, …hilip. 4.18. Heb. 13.16. And a memoriall of the Saynts before the Lord. Nomb. 31. …0.54. Phil. 4.17. & a teſtimony of the love of the brethren, 2. Cor. 8.8.24. & ſo con…ortable to the conſcience.
Chap. 5. VVhen the treaſury is to be collected.
The treaſury is to be collected every firſt day of the week, when the whole Church …ommeth together to break bread, Act. 20.7. compared with 1. Cor. 16.2.
Reaſons hereof are divers as followeth.
1. Bicauſe the Lords Supper is weekly to be adminiſtred, & ſo from the Treaſury …eekly ther muſt a portion be imployed to the proviſion of bread & wine & other ne…ſſaryes for the more ſeemly adminiſtration thereof, Act. 20.7. compared with 1. …or. 16.2.
2. Bicauſe the Elders are worthy of double honor, which is yeelded them by weekly …ayntenance according to their labor & neceſſities 1. Tim. 5.17 - 18. Gal. 6.6.
3. Bicauſe the poore of the Church are weekly to be releeved, & other necesſities con…ually ſupplyed Act 6.1. & 2.42.
Hence it foloweth that when the greateſt communion of the church is held, the co… …niō of this grace alſo of miniſtring to the necesſities of the ſaynts ſhould be exerciſed
Quere: At what tyme of the Lords day, & after what manner the Treaſury is to … collected.
Chap. 6. How the Treaſury is to be employed.
The Church Treaſury is to be employed to theſe Speciall vſes.
1. Mayntenance of the Elders eſpecially ſuch among them as are moſt painful in the …ro & doctryne, 1. Tim. 5.17.18.
The Elders that are of hability ought not to require maintenance of the church, but ought rather to contribute to the treaſury, Act. 20.35.
The elders may ſometyme vppon good grounds work with their hands for avoyding offence & helping the Church. Act. 20.34.35.
2. Mayntenance of the widowes & by conſequent other officers that want mayntenance: 1. Timoth. 5.3.4.16. Act. 6.1.
3. Releef of the poor brethren, alſo orphanes, & widows of brethren deceaſed. Act 2.44. & 4.32. 2. Cor. 8. & 9. chap. & that not only of the owne, but of other true Churches eſpecially of them from whom they receaved the faith, Rom. 15.27.
4. Proviſion for neceſſary vſes: as places, veſſels, bread, wine, & other implements ſo the common neceſſityes of the whole body. Exod. 35.25-29. Nomb. 7: 1. Chron. 29.1-…
Quere: whither it the chardg of bread & wine be very great as it falleth out in ſom… countryes & ſome yeeres, & the officers & poore want mayntenance, the Lords ſupp… may not be deferred, & not be adminiſtred every Lords day.
Chap. 13. At whoſe diſpoſition the Treaſury is.
Seing the Deacons are the hands of the Church as it were, & the ſervants of the b…d… in the bodyly neceſſityes, therfor the delivering of the treaſury, & ſo the cuſtody of perteyneth to them. 1. Chroh. 26.20.
The Eldership as they are to overſee the flock, & to enquire into the occaſions & … faires of the whole body & as they are officers for the whole body & in the Church name, therfor it apertey… vntounto them for the Church to overſee the treaſury: & take accouts of it. & to appoint the diſpoſition of it, 2. King 22.4. Act. 11.30. &. 4.35.
The Church is the owner & primary poſſeſſor of the treaſury, & the cheef Lord … vnderunder: Chriſt: & vntounto the Church muſt the account be made finally.
Thus much concerning the Deacons office & workes: & concerning the treaſury … the Church.
FINIS.